A few things that stood out at me during this course. I learned that being inspirational and stimulating provides idealized influence. By providing learners with specific context and perspective you compress learning and bypass erroneous information and provide more goal oriented learning. I learned about Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development and how to produce thought in students that require them to move themselves from one zone to the next increasing their development throughout each lesson. The one theory that stood out most would have to be the theory of multiple intelligences. Before this course I was able to naturally change gears throughout any lesson in order to engage my students more effectively. This course enabled me to put labels on the tools I utilize, along with this, I have been given the definition and main purpose for each tool. Before this class I was a natural practitioner and now I am becoming a formally educated practitioner. Imagine if you were taught to play the piano before you learned how to read or write music. Well that was me. I am learning how to more effectively engage each student by targeting audiences familiarity with the subject or reaching them by “rescuing lived experiences” (Foley, 2004). By doing this I am able to facilitate a greater measure of cognitive, psychological and political empowerment, which in turn causes my students to own the lesson and effect change in our industry. Most importantly, I learned that no one theory of learning is better than the others. At times one may be more appropriate than any other but they are all useful and relevant given the right circumstance and need of the students. I also learned that learning is continuous and the future of education will reside with our ability to engage students beyond traditional lesson plans and exercises. By learning how I excel in learning has caused me to place myself in the students shoes. Knowing that I thrive when learning is fun and my teacher is empathetic and feels responsible for my development to some degree forces me to step up to each challenge.
The connection between learning theories, learning styles, educational technology and motivation is very similar to the connection a chef has with produce and the design of his/ her kitchen. These are ingredients from which we will mix together to create a special blend for each class. As I mix these ingredients I have to be sure to not over do any one particular thing just for the sake of adding “bells and whistles”. I have learned how to balance the use of these tools to create an environment and lesson which is just right. Another interesting bit of information came from educational expert Marc Pensky when he coined the phrase “digital immigrant and digital native”. I have been empowered through his explanation to really create an environment that challenges every student and puts them on level playing fields. Many times my older students have complained about the talking or the younger students surfing the web during class. I was never bothered with the younger students doing this as long as they were keeping up with the work. Now I can tell my older students that there is nowhere they are going to work that will be silent in our industry and I can encourage them to try and improve their multitasking capabilities, all while being able to quote a very influential expert in our field. I have learned to appreciate my network from which I learn and have come to see how dependent I am on it. In addition to this, I want to enhance my network and have found more value in my classmates.
My learning in this course will definitely help me further in my career in the field of Instructional Design because I now have the words and expert opinions to understand and explain what goes on in my classroom. I have the tools to operate and communicate more effectively with my students and my administration. I am also more aware of the pitfalls and obstacles educators need to avoid, for example, educators and ID professional should not categorize students by their current strengths and/or weaknesses. I now see my students as more unique individuals that want to be there and desire more control and stimulation as they aim for mastery in each course. I also intend to further the field of instructional design through research in the understudied area of intuition and the role it plays in instruction.
References:
Foley, G. (Ed.). (2004). Dimensions of adult learning: Adult education and training in a global era. McGraw-Hill Education.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Blog Assignment: Fitting the pieces together
Six weeks ago I explained in a discussion board post that I learn new material best by learning the principles and theory first, then by moving on to the practical hands on application. This would mean that I prefer to use the behaviorist approach and gradually the cognitive and constructivist style. After having completed the majority of this course I have come to the conclusion that I like my professor to utilize each one of the learning theories when appropriate. When information is new to me for example at the beginning of a course I like to understand what is expected of me along with the why’s and how’s. After some time to digest this information I would like to be able to demonstrate my understanding through performance from which I receive feedback. Once the information is more familiar then the cognitive approach is most effective. I can then be expected to apply my instruction to my former experiences and commit the material to information which is permanently retrievable (Ermert & Newby, 1993). During this course, social learning came sooner and is evident is this blog, as well as, the weekly discussion board. Social learning and connectivism will occur longer as I continue into the field of instructional design. “Bandura’s Social Learning Theory posits that people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling. The theory has often been called a bridge between behaviorist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and motivation.” (Learning-Theories.com, 2008). I have learned over the past few weeks that I am able to learn through all of the various learning styles and theories discussed with the exception of nature. I do not like the great outdoors and so any theory or lesson that would require me to be near insects and plants unprotected will end with little to no transfer of knowledge or retention. It is true we all have a unique combination of the “multiple intelligences” and I have discovered my deficiency. So I have learned that I prefer to learn in a highly social setting with the use of traditional theory and practical for a while then I like to move to hands- on demonstrations. I naturally add new information to stored memories. For example I was able to remember the constructivist theory by attaching both the word and definition to an image in my mind of scaffolding and a building under construction. With connectivism I have attached this to my network from which I brainstorm and share ideas via the use of today’s technology to stay connected to everyone everywhere.
Technology plays a major role when it comes to how I learn in my pursuit of this degree. I chose to pursue a Masters degree in instructional design and technology with a concentration on online learning. If this does not just scream out technology nothing will. This is the first college course in twenty years that requires me to focus on technology beyond a watered down application or crash course. I have learned how to search databases and locate information more effectively. I am now able to have information come to me via google reader. I learned how to use the voice recorder on my blackberry to create my PowerPoint presentation. I have learned how to create blogs, slide show and mind maps to name a few. I would say technology has played a major part in my learning and this will only increase along side traditional learning. I cannot express how enthused I am to be able to develop my teaching skills for the next generation of education.
Technology plays a major role when it comes to how I learn in my pursuit of this degree. I chose to pursue a Masters degree in instructional design and technology with a concentration on online learning. If this does not just scream out technology nothing will. This is the first college course in twenty years that requires me to focus on technology beyond a watered down application or crash course. I have learned how to search databases and locate information more effectively. I am now able to have information come to me via google reader. I learned how to use the voice recorder on my blackberry to create my PowerPoint presentation. I have learned how to create blogs, slide show and mind maps to name a few. I would say technology has played a major part in my learning and this will only increase along side traditional learning. I cannot express how enthused I am to be able to develop my teaching skills for the next generation of education.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Reflection
My network has changed the way I learn over the years parallel to my personal development and how it has changed. The associates I have are quite different than they were ten years ago. Out of these changes have emerged specific networks that provide me with certain information and insight satisfying my drive to acquire knowledge. My mind is at the center of my network from there I look to family, more specifically my father because he is the smartest man I know bar none. My dad earned his PhD in Education by the age of twenty seven. Next, I look to my friends and co-workers for information surrounding personal concerns, politics, business, sciences and industry. After many discussions and debates I like to turn my attention to researching data. I rely on the world wide webs various search engine, for example, google.com, delicious.com, ask jeeves, bing, ask.com, yahoo and more to locate information on subjects of interest. I also attend Walden University, which has become a major part of my learning network. Walden has put me in touch with so many classmates or future collegues which share my drive and desire to learn and share knowledge with the world around us. My classmates have been added to my network via discussion boards, blogs and e-mail. Google reader has been another tool that has changed or should I say increased my network and my learning. Since I began coursework at Walden my network has changed by having more information come to me. I am now able to filter through and target the information that I want to research and have it delivered to me.
Digital tools such as google, PowerPoint, Multimedia presentations, Video conferencing at work, Online text publishing sites like Elsevier, and through blogging and blog surfing I am able to better facilitate my learning experience. I find that I can have many different aspects of one subject made available to me in a variety of ways and I do not easily exhaust the subject before it becomes part of my permanent memory.
I gain new knowledge when I have questions by fielding them throughout my network. Many times after asking my first line of resources, reading and then searching my favorite search engines I am quite satisfied. Depending on the question I may be able to locate one or two experts and ask them for insight.
My personal learning network completely supports the central tenets of connectivism utilizing George Siemens components of connectivism (Davis & Bateman, 2008). I learn so many different things daily, whether it be for personal use or required for school or work because it comes from so many different avenues I would say the chaos theory applies. The importance of network theory is also relevant because I share my thoughts, questions and newly acquired knowledge with many of the resources in my network thus “cross pollinating the learning environment” (Davis & Bateman, 2008). The final component of complexity and self - organization is the result of my learning network joins together with other well organized structures and how my input helps to further morph and affect the conditions changing them because of my participation. I see more ways my personal learning network supports the principles of connectivism than not. Every forum in which I participate welcomes debate and insight. Resources have to be nurtured in order to keep them relevant, and while what you know today is “currency” what you are open to learning and in search of will become more valuable”(Davis& Bateman,2008).
References:
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Conectivism. Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching and technology. Retrieved on February 3, 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism
Digital tools such as google, PowerPoint, Multimedia presentations, Video conferencing at work, Online text publishing sites like Elsevier, and through blogging and blog surfing I am able to better facilitate my learning experience. I find that I can have many different aspects of one subject made available to me in a variety of ways and I do not easily exhaust the subject before it becomes part of my permanent memory.
I gain new knowledge when I have questions by fielding them throughout my network. Many times after asking my first line of resources, reading and then searching my favorite search engines I am quite satisfied. Depending on the question I may be able to locate one or two experts and ask them for insight.
My personal learning network completely supports the central tenets of connectivism utilizing George Siemens components of connectivism (Davis & Bateman, 2008). I learn so many different things daily, whether it be for personal use or required for school or work because it comes from so many different avenues I would say the chaos theory applies. The importance of network theory is also relevant because I share my thoughts, questions and newly acquired knowledge with many of the resources in my network thus “cross pollinating the learning environment” (Davis & Bateman, 2008). The final component of complexity and self - organization is the result of my learning network joins together with other well organized structures and how my input helps to further morph and affect the conditions changing them because of my participation. I see more ways my personal learning network supports the principles of connectivism than not. Every forum in which I participate welcomes debate and insight. Resources have to be nurtured in order to keep them relevant, and while what you know today is “currency” what you are open to learning and in search of will become more valuable”(Davis& Bateman,2008).
References:
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Conectivism. Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching and technology. Retrieved on February 3, 2010 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources
Evaluating and Identifying Online Resources
Following this weeks learning topics of the brain and learning, information processing theory, and problem solving methods during the learning process I was required to locate sites and resources which I found valuable and resourceful. The first on my list contributed a wealth of information that was very easy to understand and thorough in defining brain based learning. This site http://www.funderstanding.com/content/brain-based-learning explained that absent any abnormality the brain will learn and that most forms of learning will be constant. This site discusses how many forms of traditional learning actually inhibits the brains natural learning processes. “Educators need to help students have appropriate experiences and capitalize on those experiences (funderstanding, 2008)”. This site goes on to discuss the importance of gaining feedback from students and the importance of developing lessons which utilize all learning styles or “brain friendly environments” (funderstanding,2008). I like the forum it provides instructional designers and links to make learning fun. Educators can take brain quizzes and research topics like emotional intelligence and spatial reasoning.
The next site http://www.edupr.com/brain24.html delves into the topic of discovering “ways to improve student memory, learning and achievement in today's distracted, digital society” (L&B society,2009). This cite offers a compilation of research from prestigious universities along with over thirty links to authors articles and research of students and e learning in the 21st century. As Instructional designers we all have to approach student learning and brain based learning inclusive of today’s society and its ongoing technological advancements. This site understands how hyper paced living has affected many of us and offers tips on how instructional designers can effectively approach an overwhelmed, overstimulated and over stressed learner. Here members can participate in social network, share lesson plans and stay up to date with new tools being added quite frequently.
Information Processing Theory and Problem- Solving methods during the learning process
Every site I browsed for the topic of information processing theory all pointed to expert George Miller http://tip.psychology.org/miller.html . Every other site seems to refer to Millers theoretical ideas and insight. Miller was the first to document the concept of short term memory, and the TOTE theory of problem solving. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_processing_theory gives a better description of the IP theory and explains “just as the computer can be made into a better information processor by changes in its hardware (e.g., circuit boards and microchips) and its software (programming), so do children become more sophisticated thinkers through changes in their brains and sensory systems (hardware) and in the rules and strategies (software) that they learn” (wikipedia.org, 2010). Although this site refers to the child learner the same information is true for our adult learners. Wikipedia breaks down the processes through which we all gather, filter, store and retrieve information. I found this site most useful in gaining a complete understanding of the information processing theory. Author W. Huitt http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/infoproc.html discussed the information processing approach to cognition in great detail making mention of other theories such as stage theory model and parallel- distributed processing. This cite also builds on Miller’s theory of information processing but give an advanced and more modern perspective.
Craig Rusbult offers insight into problem solving in education http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/methods.htm. Mr. Rusbult discusses the importance of problem based activities along with ways to motivate students to think into the future and solve a current problem. He also stresses the need to develop and exercise critical thinking skills in students. Mr. Rusbult offers up some new ways to teach thinking skills and problem solving skills, along with over twenty resources embedded in his website. I found this site useful for finding selective, highly specialized information from tenured professionals and scholars.
Following this weeks learning topics of the brain and learning, information processing theory, and problem solving methods during the learning process I was required to locate sites and resources which I found valuable and resourceful. The first on my list contributed a wealth of information that was very easy to understand and thorough in defining brain based learning. This site http://www.funderstanding.com/content/brain-based-learning explained that absent any abnormality the brain will learn and that most forms of learning will be constant. This site discusses how many forms of traditional learning actually inhibits the brains natural learning processes. “Educators need to help students have appropriate experiences and capitalize on those experiences (funderstanding, 2008)”. This site goes on to discuss the importance of gaining feedback from students and the importance of developing lessons which utilize all learning styles or “brain friendly environments” (funderstanding,2008). I like the forum it provides instructional designers and links to make learning fun. Educators can take brain quizzes and research topics like emotional intelligence and spatial reasoning.
The next site http://www.edupr.com/brain24.html delves into the topic of discovering “ways to improve student memory, learning and achievement in today's distracted, digital society” (L&B society,2009). This cite offers a compilation of research from prestigious universities along with over thirty links to authors articles and research of students and e learning in the 21st century. As Instructional designers we all have to approach student learning and brain based learning inclusive of today’s society and its ongoing technological advancements. This site understands how hyper paced living has affected many of us and offers tips on how instructional designers can effectively approach an overwhelmed, overstimulated and over stressed learner. Here members can participate in social network, share lesson plans and stay up to date with new tools being added quite frequently.
Information Processing Theory and Problem- Solving methods during the learning process
Every site I browsed for the topic of information processing theory all pointed to expert George Miller http://tip.psychology.org/miller.html . Every other site seems to refer to Millers theoretical ideas and insight. Miller was the first to document the concept of short term memory, and the TOTE theory of problem solving. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_processing_theory gives a better description of the IP theory and explains “just as the computer can be made into a better information processor by changes in its hardware (e.g., circuit boards and microchips) and its software (programming), so do children become more sophisticated thinkers through changes in their brains and sensory systems (hardware) and in the rules and strategies (software) that they learn” (wikipedia.org, 2010). Although this site refers to the child learner the same information is true for our adult learners. Wikipedia breaks down the processes through which we all gather, filter, store and retrieve information. I found this site most useful in gaining a complete understanding of the information processing theory. Author W. Huitt http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/infoproc.html discussed the information processing approach to cognition in great detail making mention of other theories such as stage theory model and parallel- distributed processing. This cite also builds on Miller’s theory of information processing but give an advanced and more modern perspective.
Craig Rusbult offers insight into problem solving in education http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/think/methods.htm. Mr. Rusbult discusses the importance of problem based activities along with ways to motivate students to think into the future and solve a current problem. He also stresses the need to develop and exercise critical thinking skills in students. Mr. Rusbult offers up some new ways to teach thinking skills and problem solving skills, along with over twenty resources embedded in his website. I found this site useful for finding selective, highly specialized information from tenured professionals and scholars.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Instructional Design Student Exploring Blogs
I am currently a student at Walden University and I am pursuing my Masters Degree in Instructional Design and Online learning. This weeks assignment required me to search through several instructional design professional community blogs for information which I find relevant information in ID and to gain more familiarity with various tools and resources for which I can use and contribute to in a meaningful way.
The first sight I found of interest was http://nulife4me.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/the-doorway-to-professional-learning-communities/. This site offers its readers a wealth of useful links for the instructional designer interested in enhancing the e learning experience for their students. This site promises to offer something to both the new and experienced instructional designer. One blog in particular, “puts instructional design into context from a teacher’s point of view. It provides a step-by-step format of how a single lesson plan leads to instructional design(ID-simplified)”.
The next blog I went to and found helpful is http://ideas.blogs.com/, by Ferdinand Krauss resources relevant to the evaluation of e learning environments and the use of multimedia in distance learning. This blog also provides readers with links to other web articles intended to enhance “face-to-face and distance e learning environments, along with strategies for delivering knowledge in the digital age”.
The final blog and in my opinion the most useful for instructional design students and new professionals is http://en.wordpress.com/tag/instructional-design/ titled blogs about: instructional design. This blog offers many different perspectives from both professionals, as well as, former and current students. This blog will be the most useful to me during this course because I can refer to the advice and information from other students and professionals that have recently walked this path. This blog will help me network with instructional design professionals from which I can rely on based on the fact that we participated in the same education at Walden University. I especially enjoyed the blog titled “presentation secrets by Steve Jobs”, which highlighted many useful ways to become a captivating communicator. I also visited a former classmates blog http://andreahildreth.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/reflections-wk-8/ , by Andrea Hildreth titled sharing the learning journey. Andrea builds on this course’s required reading and adds a new perspective on connecting the learning theories, along with implementing effective lessons at any point of student learning.
The first sight I found of interest was http://nulife4me.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/the-doorway-to-professional-learning-communities/. This site offers its readers a wealth of useful links for the instructional designer interested in enhancing the e learning experience for their students. This site promises to offer something to both the new and experienced instructional designer. One blog in particular, “puts instructional design into context from a teacher’s point of view. It provides a step-by-step format of how a single lesson plan leads to instructional design(ID-simplified)”.
The next blog I went to and found helpful is http://ideas.blogs.com/, by Ferdinand Krauss resources relevant to the evaluation of e learning environments and the use of multimedia in distance learning. This blog also provides readers with links to other web articles intended to enhance “face-to-face and distance e learning environments, along with strategies for delivering knowledge in the digital age”.
The final blog and in my opinion the most useful for instructional design students and new professionals is http://en.wordpress.com/tag/instructional-design/ titled blogs about: instructional design. This blog offers many different perspectives from both professionals, as well as, former and current students. This blog will be the most useful to me during this course because I can refer to the advice and information from other students and professionals that have recently walked this path. This blog will help me network with instructional design professionals from which I can rely on based on the fact that we participated in the same education at Walden University. I especially enjoyed the blog titled “presentation secrets by Steve Jobs”, which highlighted many useful ways to become a captivating communicator. I also visited a former classmates blog http://andreahildreth.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/reflections-wk-8/ , by Andrea Hildreth titled sharing the learning journey. Andrea builds on this course’s required reading and adds a new perspective on connecting the learning theories, along with implementing effective lessons at any point of student learning.
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